Retractable spout for container, with protective cover for said spout in its retracted position



Jan. 1, 1952 R w, SHORE 2,581,150

RETRACTABLE SPOUT FOR CONTAINER, WITH PROTECTIVE I COVER FOR SAID SPOUT IN ITS RETRACTED POSITION Filed March 6, 1946,

2 SHEETSSHEET l .3 m mw m N m U N N [W K m l a 6 4 A 0 T n 4 w J L l-|:l1-\ i 6 u n lull a a 4 afl r 5 a. a M 4 y T] T a a Z 0 2 w 2 a 4 Jan. 1, 1952 R. w. SHORE RETRACTABLE SPOUT FO R CONTAINER, WITH PROTECTIV COVER FOR SAID SPOUT IN ITS RETRACTED POSITION Filed March 6, 1946 2 SHEET$SHEET 2 INVENTOR. fimmz W $190M Patented Jan. 1, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RETRACTABLE SPOUT FOR CONTAINER, WITH PROTECTIVE COVER FOR SAID SPO.UT IN ITS RETRACTED POSITION Roscoe W.-' Shore, Jackson Heights,'N.' Y. ApplicationvMarch 6, 1946, Serial No. 652,406

4 Claims. 1

This .inventionrelates to.spouts for. containers,

and particularly to spouts .which ;.are movable relative to. the .containers .betweenannuter pouring position andaposition substantially within the container contours.

One object of this inventionis .to provide a combined spout-and container structure of the above indicated .character'in which the spout is adapted .for telescopic movementalong .an .axis

either .normal to a wall, such as the-head wall of the container, or along an axis sloping upwardly and .laterally outwardly of the container,

-and between an .inner ,position, with the .outer end of the spout adjacentto the container, .and

anouter pouring position, withthe spout protruding from and adapted todirect liquid over an edge of thecontainer.

Another object-.of the. inventionis .to,provide. a

:spout structure, as aforesaid, .in which. thespout, in itsinnerposition, isunder andprotected .by a

separate cover, .which maybe any of various standard covers now on .the market.

.Another objectof the invention .is to provide a telescopically .movable spout, as .indicated,

which is Dart'ofHanEattachment having therein .a separate -.vent for the container, whereby to insure steadyrpouringand .to -preventl hesitantor cap type.

Another object .of the invention is to provide .-novel means whereby a spout may be movably telescopically vmounted diagonally to a container wall, as by providing a flange slopingrelative to -a-partitionparallel-to such wall, or a fiangenormal to a partition sloping relative .to the wall.

Another object of the :invention is to provide .novelmeans .for positively holding thespout in its outer .or pouring position, and preventing .it from falling into .thecontainer from itsouter position.

Another object of theinvention is to provide acontainer spout-structure which .issimple and durable inconstruction, economical to manufactureyeasy to apply,-and efiective in its operation.

With such objects in view, as well as other advantages'whichmaybe incident .to a utilization of the improvements, the invention-comprises the elements and combinations thereof hereinafter set 'forth and intended by the drawings, specification and claims, with the .underproportion, arrangement. and texture, without departing from the nature and scope of "the invention.

To make the invention more clearly understood, means are shown in the accompanying drawings for carrying the same into practical efiect, without. limiting .the improvements in the useful applications thereof to the particular constructions which, for the, purposes of explanation, are made the vsubj-ectof illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is. a sideviewin section .of.a portion of a container having aspoutstructure of the invention thereon, applied .under a standard cover of a certain type.

. Fig. 2 is a view, similar .to .Fig. .1, with the cover removed and thespout in outer pouring position.

Fig. 3 is a view somewhat similar to Figs. 1 and 2, ofamodified .form of the-invention.

Fig. 4 is a view,.similar.to Fig. .1, showin a modification of the spout supporting structure, and applied under a standard cover oianother t p Fig.5 is a view, similar to Fig. 2, of .thedevice .shown in Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 isa top plan view of the formshown in Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the devicetherein shown comprises a container including a side wall l2 and a head It! inthetop of the container whichiscup-shaped and forms the chime l6.

The side wall of the head is' attached to the-.ilpi er edge-of side wall l2 inany usual manner, one

mode being indicated at l8.

The head A4 is provided with an outlet opening l9, whichis-circular-inthe present example,

andin whichis disposeda circular 'collar 25! having .a bottomiiange 22securedtothezhead M, as "by a :double seam, as shown. "The collar-20 has an annular groove Zi a-rid aninwardly'return-bent top edge "flange 2B fformed to provide a uniform diameter opening defined by this flange. The closure icap 281s of a well known snap-on type, made of resilient sheet metal, having a closed end .30 and .a depending side wall in which are, peripherally spaced longitudinal slots 32 .pr.ovidi ng a number .of-side wall fingers having inturn d ends 4,- .Asealinsea ke 35 ml be held. in the .cover. In .its .clcsed,.position, Fig.1, theend .30 .is..upwardly bowed and the inturned ends .34 engagein the-groove 2.4. For shipping purposes, a rupturable sealing rin 38 is provided, the same having a tab 40.

To remove the cover, the tab 40 is lifted and torn through a side of the ring 38 to split the ring and thereby provide for its removal, whereupon the bowed end 30 is depressed to cause the ends 34. to move out of the groove 24, and the cover 28 may be lifted off.

According to the example of the invention in Figs. 1 and 2, the opening defined by flange 26 is closed by a substantially cup-shaped partition 42 of resilient sheet material. The upstanding walls 44 of partition 42 are preferably of a size to have a friction fit with the inturned flange 26 by which the partition is held in place, but obviously the insert could be secured in place in other ways.

A bottom wall 46 of the partition 32 is provided with a vent hole 48 disposed entirely within the lateral limits of the partition 42 and close to the upstanding walls 44. The bottom 46 has a pouring opening 50 arranged in diametrical alignment with the vent opening 48.

The opening 50 is surrounded by an integral depending tubular flange 52 which forms a guide means for a tubular pouring spout 54. In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the depending guide 52 is inclined on an axis about from the vertical, the inclination being in the direction of the adjacent chime 16 of the container.

The spout 54 is of resilient sheet material and has a sliding fit in the guide 52. At its upper end, the spout is provided with an out-turned flange or bead 56 operating to hold the spout from falling into the container through ,the

opening 50, and which flange'also may serve as a pouring lip. A lower end length section 58 of the spout 54 is expanded radially outwardly to form a tapered section such that, when the spout is pulled from the lower position of Fig. l to the upper position of Fig. 2, the section 58 will wedge itself into the guide 52 and positively hold the spout in its upper pouring position, in which it is inclined toward the chime 16. Other means may be provided for so holding the spout.

In all of the figures of the drawings, the wall thicknesses of the various parts may be exaggerated, as shown, and be considerably thinner or thicker, or of any desired material, depending upon the size, application and other factors of the service to which the device is adapted. Also, while sheet metal is shown throughout, other materials may be substituted.

Referring to the modification of the invention shown in Fig. 3, in which corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numerals bearing the suffix a, the structure is similar to that of Figs. 1 and 2, with three notable exceptions. These are, first, that partition 42a, instead of being a separate entity from collar a, is an integral part thereof; second, that the depending flange 52a is substantially vertical so that spout 54a moves on a vertical axis from its lower to its upper or pouring position, andthird,

that the flange 56 is replaced by an outwardly flared lip 59, which forms a convenient finger grip for lifting the spout 54a to its pouring position.

Thus, the modification of Fig. 3, instead of being an attachment for application to completed. standard containers of old form, is a part of a new container structure applied before the structureis completed. It will be understood that flange 52 of Figs. 1 and 2 could be made straight instead of inclined, with a corresponding less ening of the depth of the cup-shaped partition. Also any of the formations of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 could be applied to the screw type of closure shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and vice versa.

Referring to the modification of the inven: tion shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in which corresponding parts are here designated by corresponding reference numerals having the suffix b, the closure is of the standard screw cap type having a collar 68 which has a lower flange by means of which it is secured to the bottom wall of a container head 14b, as indicated at 62. The upright portion has threads 66, and an inwardly return-bent top edge flange 68. The cap 62 is of a standard screw type fitting the threads 66 and having a sealing gasket 10.

The partition 12 is generally cup-shaped with the side walls thereof having a friction fit with the inturned flange 68. The bottom wall of the partition has a flat portion 15, in which a vent opening i8 is located adjacent the side wall, and an area 89 which is downwardly inclined, in the direction of the chime [Eb when the partition is in place in the collar 60. An opening is provided in the area 80 having a surrounding, depending tubular or guide portion 82 for the spout 54?), the axis of the guide portion being normal to the area 80. Pouring spout 54?) has an upper outwardly flared flange 8i and a lower outwardly flared portion 58b, which latter serves the same function as the correspondingly designated part in Figs. 1 and 2. It will be noted that the axis of the pouring spout is normal to the plane of the area 89, and when the spout 55b is raised to its upper or pouring position it is tilted toward the adjacent chime tab.

In operation, with any of the arrangements described, a full and free flowing stream of liquid will pour from the container as it is tilted, and the vent opening being above the entrance level for the liquid into the pouring spout the container is constantly vented to the atmosphere during pouring. The vent, so located, also constitutes a warning to the attendant since if the container is tilted so that liquid emerges from the vent opening, it is a signal that the container is tilted too much, beyond the capacity of the spout.

The invention provides a durable, compact and convenient collapsible extension pouring spout, which is of considerable advantage, and renders the device a distinct advance in its field.

I claim:

1. The combination for a container including an outwardly protruding outlet collar of sheet material having a beaded outer edge, and a cap for the collar adapted to fit about said edge, of an element of substantially cup-shape for insertion into said collar and having an upstanding side portion adapted for frictional holding relation to said beaded edge to keep the element in place, the bottom wall of said element constituting a partition across the collar opening and having therein a simple vent opening and a larger aperture located radially outwardly of said vent, and a pouring spout so constructed and arranged as to be telescopically movable in said aperture between a position in which the outer end of the spout is supported by the partition under the cap and a position in which the outer end of the spout is outside the container and its inner end held to said partition.

2. The combination for a container'includinga normally horizontal head wall having a vertical outlet adjacent to a vertical side wall portion of the container, a vertical collar about the outlet,

and a cover fitting upon the collar, of a horizontal partition constructed for insertion in and frictional support in said collar and having a. vent and a depending tubular portion, said portion sloping upwardly and outwardly and said vent being disposed inwardly thereof, and a tubu lar pouring spout telescopically fitting said tubular portion and having a top flange and a radially expanded tapered bottom length section, said fiange normally resting on said partition under said cover and the spout being movable upwardly until said expanded section wedges in said depending tubular portion to hold the spout in its upper pouring position.

3. The combination for a container including a head wall having an inlet opening adjacent to a side wall of the container, a collar for the inlet" terior of the container and the outer atmosphere and located at the edge of said element which is located closest the center of said head wall, a larger aperture in said element and located radially outwardly of said vent, and a pouring spout so constructed and arranged as to be tele-' scopically movable in said aperture betweena position in which the outer end of the spout is supported by the partition under the cap and'a position in which the outer end of the spout :is outside the container and its inner end held to said partition. 11

4. The combination for a drum includinga head wall having a large opening therein for use in filling the container and an upstanding collar surrounding the opening and adapted to receive a removable closure cap, of a closure for said opening for facilitating pouring from said drum, said closure comprising a partition for insertion in and frictional support in said opening after the drum is filled, an aperture in said partition having guide means cooperating therewith, a pouring spout fitting in said aperture and guide and telescopically movable therein between a position in which the outer end of the spout is under the cap and a position in which the outer end of the spout is in pouring position outside the container, the spout being provided with upper and lower flange portions by which it is supported in its lower and upper positions respectively, and a simple vent opening in said closure providing direct communication between the interior of the container and the outer atmosphere, said vent being located above the level of the bottom of said spout when the spout is raised to its uppermost position and said vent also being located inwardly of the pouring spout so that when the drum is tipped for pouring the full pouring capacity of the spout may be used.

ROSCOE W. SHORE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,145,896 Hothersall July 13, 1915 1,148,666 Eberhart Aug. 3, 1915 1,213,500 Kendall Jan. 23, 1917 1,947,915 Marschall Feb. 20, 1934 2,093,807 Emery et al. Sept. 21, 1937 2,173,712 Conner Sept. 19, 1939 2,300,414 Grant Nov. 3, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 223,168 Great Britain Oct. 16, 1924 

